The Joint Chinese College Alumni Association of Southern ...

The Joint Chinese College Alumni Association of Southern USA

Leisure Learning Club 2019 Trip

10 Days Discover the Spectacular Bolivia & Lake Titicaca January 24, 2019 – February 2, 2019

14 Days Bolivia & Lake Titicaca + Post Tour to Torres Del Paine January 24, 2019 – February 6, 2019

Early Bonus: For LLC members who complete their registration and postmarked by:

5/15/18 Trip A - Bolivia & Titicaca - $300, Trip B - Bolivia & Titicaca + Torres Del Paine $500

6/15/18 Trip A - Bolivia & Titicaca - $200, Trip B - Bolivia & Titicaca + Torres Del Paine $300

Day 1 – 24 JAN Wednesday: USA/Lima

Fly from the US to Lima, Peru, stay overnight at airport hotel and connect to next

morning flight to Juliaca where Lake Titicaca is located.

Day 2 – 25 JAN Thursday: Lima / Juliaca / Puno (L/D)

After arriving in Juliaca you will first visit Sillustani, pre-Incan ruins on the

shores of Lake Umayo near Puno in Peru. The ruins are built above ground in

tower-like structures called chullpas. They were first created by the Qulla

people, who were part of the Aymara nation and then adopted by the Incas.

Afterwards, continue onwards to Puno to rest and adjust to the high altitude.

Overnight at Libertador Puno Hotel.

Day 3 – 26 JAN Friday: Uros Islands / Taquile Island (B/L/D)

The Uros are an Aymara-speaking indigenous people of Peru and Bolivia that

live on about 100 self-fashioned floating islands made from reeds in Lake

Titicaca near Puno. You will visit two of their islands (15 min boat ride) and

learn how they survive on these floating structures and how their customs may

soon be lost due to assimilation with modern society. Afterwards, we will head

to Taquile Island (1.5 hr boat ride). Learn about the unique history here whose

residents migrated from the shores of Lake Titicaca to this volcanic rock island

and how they live in communities that completely support one another in

growing crops as well as their unique societal customs. Lastly, take a short city

tour of Puno, which was established in 1668. It has several churches dating back

to the colonial period originally built by the Spanish to evangelize the natives and

has a unique history where the Incas, Aymaras and Spaniards struggled for

control for many years. In the evening, enjoy a dinner show at Balcones de Puno

featuring dozens of traditional folklorico dances from around Peru.

Overnight at Jose Antonio Puno Hotel.

Day 4 – 27 JAN Saturday: Puno / Bolivia border crossing /

Tiwanaku / Uyuni (B/L/D)

Drive from Puno to Desaguadero (3.5 hrs. drive), the border town with Bolivia. We

will stop for photos at a small unique set of Incan ruins dedicated to fertility as well

as a lookout point of Lake Titicaca. After clearing immigration at the border,

continue to Tiwanaku (1.5 hrs. drive), which is the predecessor civilization of the

Incas, with great achievements in pottery, metallurgy, stone construction and

agriculture even more advanced than the Incas that came afterwards.

Later, transfer to the La Paz airport located in El Alto, which is currently the highest

International airport in the world at 4,080 m / 13,115 ft. above sea level, for your

flight to Uyuni to begin your salt flat adventure.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, the Palacio de Sal. This is an amazing hotel with

walls and ceilings made of salt. The purpose of this special construction is to be in

balance with nature and the surrounding landscape while enjoying a pleasant and

unforgettable rest. It is only luxury hotel in the world made from salt, and includes

your breakfasts and dinners while in Uyuni. The hotel will distribute waterproof

boots for use during your stay. Your transportation in Uyuni will be by Sport Utility

Vehicles (SUVs) for 4 travelers each in order to traverse the wet salt flats and dirt

roads of this amazing region.

Overnight at Palacio de Sal Hotel.

Day 5 – 028 JAN Sunday: Uyuni Salt Flats (B/L/D) – Wet flats, dry

flats, Playa Blanca & stargazing

Depart for the great salt flats for amazing photo opportunities. We will stop in the dry,

white parts of the flats, which are perfect for taking amusing photos due to the lack of

visual perspective when all you see is an expanse of whiteness to the horizon. We will

also move to wet areas of the flats that will provide you the unbelievable mirror effect

Uyuni is known for with just 2 cm of rain water on the ground. *** Make sure to bring

any props and costumes from home that you would like to use for photos! ***

Later, we will visit Playa Blanca, and outpost in the middle of the salt flats that was

once a hotel but now used as a cantina and restroom stop for tourists. Be sure to take

photos in front of the numerous flags from countries around the world. Please note,

due to rapidly changing weather conditions in the Uyuni salt flat region, the order of

your activities will likely be adjusted over the next few days. You can easily

experience 4 seasons in 1 day! For wet flat photos, it is very important to have little or

no wind to produce the mirror effect. Rain also makes it difficult to enjoy the flats.

Your expert guides and drivers will scout out conditions each morning and

communicate with other guides throughout the day to help locate ideal photo locations.

Please be flexible as the group may suddenly change plans in order to take advantage

of better weather conditions. We appreciate your understanding.

Overnight at Palacio de Sal Hotel.

Day 6 – 29 JAN Monday: Uyuni (B/L/D) – Sunrise, Photo opps,

geothermal formations

Start the day early in the morning in a wet area of the salt flats to catch the

spectacular sunrise. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a short break.

Due to the unpredictability of weather, particularly wind and rain, we will have

another opportunity today for picture taking in both the dry and wet regions of the

salt flats. Perhaps you may have seen a pose or prop from a fellow member that

you would like to try as well.

Afterwards, we will visit Ojos del Salar (eyes of the salt flats), where small

geothermal pools less than 1 m deep bubble with cold water; many guests believe a

quick soak of your feet is good for arthritis.

After dinner, you will have an extraordinary experience being in the middle of

Uyuni salt flats at night. It will be a trip to the stars without leaving Earth. We

have planned your trip to coincide with the new moon for the least amount of light,

which makes the stars appear brighter. Please note that clear skies with little to no

wind is essential.

During these few days you will also learn bow Bolivians and Peruvians live at these

high altitude where some communities are at over 4000 m (12,000 ft.) and still able

to grow crops like quinoa. We hope to see some of the unique local fauna such as

llama, alpacas, vicuña, guinea pigs and flamingos (Andean, Chilean

and James species that thrive at high altitude).

Overnight at Palacio de Sal Hotel.

Day 7 – 30 JAN Tuesday: Uyuni / La Paz (B/L/D) – Valley of the

Moon

After checkout, we will first stop in the nearby town of Colchani where the 70

resident families make a living off producing table salt and selling local handicrafts.

Afterwards, visit the Train Cemetery, an outdoor resting place for 19th and 20th

century steam locomotives that were once an integral part of the Bolivian economy.

We will then head to the city of Uyuni for lunch before heading to the airport for

your flight back to La Paz.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Valley of the Moon, a region of unique clay mountain

formations created by millennia of erosion. We will then continue to your hotel for

check-in.

Overnight at Casa Grande Hotel.

Day 8 – 31 JAN Wednesday: La Paz (B/L/D) – City Tour &

Bolivian Dinner Show

The marvellous city of La Paz is located in a valley at the foothills of the

Andes Range, situated at 3,632 m /11942 ft. above sea level. The tour goes

through several neighborhoods of this incredibly mountainous capital city.

We will stop at the viewpoint “Mirador de Killi,” from where there is a

magnificent view over La Paz. There will also be a visit to various street

markets including a traditional market which sells local agricultural products

from the highlands such as quinoa, tunta, chuño (dehydrated potato) and oca

(sweet tuber), as well is the infamous Witch Market where locals buy supplies

for ritual ceremonies like the Ch'alla and also offerings to Pachamama (Mother

Earth). Lastly, we will take a ride on the “Teleférico” which is a unique system

of large cable cars used throughout La Paz as public transportation due to its hilly

nature.

For your farewell dinner, you will enjoy a dinner show that features the dances

and costumes from around the various regions of Bolivia including the high

Andes Mountains, temperate valleys, and tropical rain forest. It is recommended

to experience the diversity of folkloric singing and dancing in a performance

showcasing. The performers present traditional dances in hand woven clothing

and play handmade instruments such as zampoñas (bamboo flutes) and charangos

(small guitars made of wood or armadillo skin). You can compare and contrast

these dances, music and costumes with that of Peru you saw in Puno.

Overnight at Casa Grande Hotel.

Day 9 – 01 FEB Thursday: La Paz / USA (B)

Transfer to the airport for your 11:20am LATAM flight to Santiago, Chile before your

United flight to Houston.

Day 10 – 02 FEB Friday: Arrival in the US

Welcome home. We hope you have enjoyed your amazing adventure to Bolivia

and Lake Titicaca and have many memories and photos to cherish.

Torres Del Paine Post Tour February 1, 2019-February 6, 2019

Day 9 – 01 FEB Thursday: La Paz / Santiago, Chile (BD) After check-out this morning, transfer to the airport for your late morning flight to Santiago,

Chile arriving at 3:30PM. After customs and immigration, you will head to your hotel.

Check-in, freshen up, and depart for dinner. After dinner, you will have a short city tour

of Santiago to see the evening landscape of this modern city. Return to your hotel for a

good night’s rest before your morning flight tomorrow to Patagonia.

Overnight at Hotel Atton Santiago.

Day 10 – 02 Santiago / Puerto Natales / Torres Del Paine (B/Box Lunch/D) –

Wildlife sightings

Transfer to the airport for your morning domestic flight to Punta Arenas, the gateway to

Patagonia. You will then travel by bus to Torres del Paine (2 hours), one of the top 10

mountain destinations in the world known for its uniquely shaped mountain peaks,

astounding beauty and numerous bucket list hikes. Your bus may stop for wildlife sightings

of guanaco (smaller than llamas), rhea (cousin to the ostrich), armadillo, Andean condor,

cara cara vulture, red fox, Andean deer, and if you are truly lucky, the revered puma. Arrive

in time for an orientation regarding the excursions for the next 3 days, and dinner at your

all-inclusive hotel.

Overnight at Rio Serrano Hotel, Torres del Paine.

Day 11 – 03 FEB Saturday: Torres Del Paine National Park (BLD) Begin our

adventure with breakfast, then a full day Full Day Grey Glacier excursion.

The most incredible and intense blue you will ever see! That is what you’ll

experience after navigating through the waters of Lake Grey and marvelling at one

of Patagonia’s most famous natural wonder s. The Grey Glacier is a ‘must-see’

southern Patagonian ice field for anyone wanting to have an unforgettable

experience.

Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Rio Serrano Hotel, Torres del Paine.

Day 12 – 04 FEB Sunday: Torres Del Paine National Park (BLD)

We will enjoy a full day of Paine. This is an excellent option to discover most of

the areas of the National Park. Lakes, rivers, colorful flowing cascades, and the

majestic Paine Massif together with the surrounding flora and fauna will be the traveler’s experience

throughout this excursion.

On our way towards Grey Lake, we will stop to appreciate the views of the

swaying Serrano River course together with the beauty of the same named local

town. Guardería Grey will be the starting point of the trek following the imposing

path the glacier once left. The lake is known for the striking huge ice blocks resting on

its waters.

We will then connect with the main stream of this fluvial area called Paine River. You

will be amazed by the turquoise colored waters of Lake Pehoé situated nearby Pudeto,

and after a short hike we will be faced with the magnificent views of Lake

Nordenskjold plummeting into the famous ‘Salto Grande’, where we will also

encounter the famous Paine Horns.

Our journey will continue with the enjoyment of various aspects of the mountain

range, as well as the exquisite views of Lake Sarmiento, the largest in the National

Park. Here the Patagonian steppe invites herds of Guanacos to run freely through the

clear forests.

By this stage we will have reached the north/east area, just outside the park to Laguna

Amarga, where weather permitting, the lake will act as a mirror to the renowned

Torres del Paine. Laguna Amarga shores feed the elegant flamingos on the algae and

plankton that live beneath its waters.

Following our adventure we continue to be in awe by the spectacular Cascada Paine,

as its unique fall flows into Laguna Azul the last location of our trip, ending the day

with an unforgettable view to the magic that is Torres del Paine.

Return to hotel for dinner and your final night in Torres Del Paine.

Overnight at Rio Serrano Hotel, Torres del Paine.

Day 13 – 05 FEB Monday: Puerto Natales / Santiago / USA (B) After check-out this morning, transfer to the Puerto Natales airport for your flight back

to Santiago at 3:00p.m., with immediate connection to your flight home.

Day 14 – 06 FEB Tuesday: Arrival in the US

Welcome home. We hope you have enjoyed your amazing adventure to Bolivia, Lake

Titicaca and Torres Del Paine, and have many memories and photos to cherish.

SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Please note that everything will depend on whether there. For those that want to do hikes and/or

horseback riding on their own, you could choose to skip the full day group excursions and arrange for

their own activities with the Excursion Team (which costs are already included in your All Inclusive

package, and those trips are listed in the excursion description file.

2. Dates might shift. We might shift the dates +/- 1 week in order to try to match a flight that would

avoid the 5 hour drive from Punta Arenas, and instead, only have a 2 hour drive from Puerto

Natales. We need to hear back from the airline and hotels next week if that is possible or not.

3. Recommended clothing - As Torres del Paine National Park is susceptible (because of its location)

to strong winds, intense heat, rain and snow, it is vital that you bring appropriate clothing for these

conditions. We suggest:

• Head - Woolen knitted beanie thermal knitted scarf, sunglasses with UV protection and

sunscreen 50+.

• Top - high neck thermal long sleeve shirts, thermal quick dry singlet, polar or fleece jacket,

waterproofed jacket and gloves

• Legs - Quick dry thermal legging tights, waterproof long pants and shorts.

• Feet - Polar or polypropylene socks and trekking shoes.

PRICING

• 10 Day Main Group $5,088

• 14 Day Post tour Group $6,788

• Price without US to South America air – deduct $570

• Single supplement – 10 days $1400, 14 days $2000

• Prices are per person double occupancy

• Pricing is based on 80 travelers which is the maximum capacity of the Palacio de Sal Hotel.

INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

• Airfare package includes Houston – Lima, La Paz - Santiago – Houston

• Additional airfare package for post trip members – Santiago – Torres del Paine round trip.

Torres del Paine: Hotel Rio Serrano, in all-inclusive basis (includes excursions, meals, standard alcoholic

beverages, non-alcoholic beverages)

Lodging in Standard Rooms unless otherwise specified

English speaking guides

All meals as specified in Itinerary

All transportation in air-conditioned vehicles

Entrance fees for all activities in Itinerary

Basic US Travel insurance policy

2 small bottles of water daily per person

NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

• Entry Visas – the Bolivia visa should be obtained before departure in the USA. The current cost is USD $160

• Air Tax – 10 days tour $488, 14 days tour $588 (Tax are subject to change based on airline charges when issue

the tickets)

• Baggage fees charged by the airlines

• Daily tips for hotel maid – please pay daily due to hotel shift changes; bellhop tips

• Additional tips at Client’s discretion for outstanding service

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the trip unless otherwise specified

• Personal incidentals

Payment Schedule

• Deposit due 6/30/18

• Deposit Amount - 10 days $2000, 14 days $2500

• Final Payment due 7/15/18

Pre - Registration: by email [email protected]

Registration starting 4/20/18: With registration form, waiver form, deposit check and passport copy

Registration Dead Line: 06/30/18

Cancelation Policy - To be announce